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MASSACHUSETTS 

TOMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY 



REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 



NOVEMBER 1, 1917 




BOSTON 

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS 

32 DERNE STREET 




MASSACHUSETTS 

COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY 



REPORT OF EXECUTIVE COMMIHEE 



NOVEMBER 1, 1917 




BOSTON 

WRIGHT & POTTER PRINTING CO., STATE PRINTERS 

32 DERNE STREET 

1917 



0. of D. 

FEB 25 1318 



REPOET TO MASSACHUSETTS COMMITTEE ON 

PUBLIC SAFETY BY THE EXECUTIVE 

COMMITTEE. 



A previous report dated March 17, outlined the or- 
ganization of the Massachusetts Committee on Pubhc 
Safety and scanned the field of possible activities. 

At this time it is impractical to point out in final 
detail the work of the Committee or to fix successful 
accomplishments. Suffice it to say that the model 
laid down in the organization and development of the 
Mass/chusetts Committee has been largely followed in 
other parts of the country. Its prompt activities 
enabled the State to secure something like adequate 
supplies and equipment for the National Guard of 
the State, and in general to survey and marshal the 
resources of the Commonwealth even before a state of 
war was declared to exist with Germany. Much has 
been accomplished of importance which cannot be 
set down here. Some things are briefly recounted. 

SAW-MILL UNITS. 

It is fitting that the first expedition which left New 
England in aid of the nation from which New England 
has taken her name, her traditions, and from whose 
Islands a large part of her population has sprung, 
should have been a pioneer expedition. Men from our 
forests and rivers, equipped by the six New England 
States, aided by seventy-seven firms and individuals, 
have, as a result of the initiative and organization of 



the Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety, gone 
to aid the AlHes in supplying the western front of war 
with necessary lumber and material manufactured 
from the historic forests of England and Scotland. 
The reports of the efficient work of these saw-mill 
units which have come back from abroad, revolution- 
izing as it does the slow methods of Europe, are ample 
justification and reward for the expense and energy 
required to send them. The saw-mill units consisted 
of 360 officers and men, 120 horses and 10 portable 
saw mills with complete equipment. The expenditure 
required, in addition to the general expense incurred 
by the Massachusetts Public Safety Committee to 
organize, equip and place on board ship these units, is 
as follows : — 

10 portable mills and equipment, 
Horses and equipment, 
Logging camp equipment, 
MiUmen and woodsmen. 
Packing and storage, . 
Passport expense. 
Transportation, 
Miscellaneous, 

Total, . 



$46,848 38 


43,659 71 


25,725 13 


7,797 30 


1,813 31 


621 60 


1,412 00 


1,298 82 


$129,176 25 



It is perhaps worth recording here the text of the 
cablegram sent by the committee to a representative 
of the British government tendering the gift of the 
saw-mill units. 

April 23, 1917. 

Understanding skilled lumbermen needed in England to supply 
timber for forces in France, New England gladly offers its services 
to Old England in assembling men and material for ten complete 
working portable saw-mill units, all to be shipped from Boston, 
each unit to consist of thirty experienced men with portable 
saw mill, ten suitable horses, harnesses, wagons, saws, axes, other 
tools and camp equipment ready for business on landing, men 



all civilian volunteers with capable man in general charge. The 
cost of the portable mill, horses and all equipment, including 
freight and other expenses, to steamer side, about and not over 
$10,000 per unit. Wages per month per unit about $2,000. Have 
not yet consulted lumber companies because not certain English 
govenuiient would desire these outfits, but sure New England 
would want to contribute five of these outfits delivered at steamer 
side. We assume if desired English government could arrange 
space on steamer sailing from Boston. We prefer men and outfits 
all on same steamer. 

The official reply of the British government to this 
tender was received from the British Ambassador at 
Washington in the following letter : — 

British Embassy, Washington, D. C, 
Mat 16, 1917. 

I have received a telegram from the foreign office stating that 
the war oSice accept with gratitude your generous offer of ten 
complete saw-mill units for work in England. The war office 
request me to convey to you an expression of their high apprecia- 
tion of the very welcome co-operation of the New England States 
in this matter; and I wish to add a word of personal thanks to 
the gentlemen who initiated a movement of such immense prac- 
tical importance to the successful prosecution of the great struggle 
in which our two nations are so happily united. 

I have the honor to be, sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

Cecil Spring-Rice. 

SETTLEMENT OF LABOR CONTROVERSIES. 

A far-reaching activity of the Committee on Public 
Safety has been its successful intervention in disputes 
between employers and employees on questions re- 
lating to the conditions of the employment of labor 
and to wages. The recognized position of the com- 
mittee as a dominant force under war conditions in 
Massachusetts, and the remarkable personnel of the 



representatives of the committee who have dealt per- 
sonally with the problems presented, have been the 
essential factors in the success that has crowned the 
efforts of the committee. Some of the threatened 
strikes and controversies which have been handled 
with satisfaction to all parties are as follows : — 

Gloucester Fishermen's Strike. — Men were seeking bet- 
terment of conditions and increase in wages. Federal govern- 
ment for month had tried to settle controversy, but made no 
headway; roughly, 3,000 men were involved. Strike was settled 
and vessels immediately released, thus increasing largely the 
supply of fish and reducing the price considerably. 

Market- Garden Teamsters. — About 300 men engaged in 
handling produce from markets. Strike settled and the diver- 
sion of produce to other markets prevented. If strike had not 
been settled produce coming from south and Texas would 
probably have gone to New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore 
for market. 

Freight Handlers connected with International Long- 
shoremen's Association. — Men worked at Mystic Wharf 
Docks, Charlestown, and Hoosac Tunnel Docks, East Boston, 
taking freight after it had been handled by longshoremen. Con- 
troversy settled. If strike had not been settled, probably 10,000 
freight handlers and longshoremen, through sympathy, would 
have become involved. 

Maintenance of Way Employees of the Boston & Albany 
Railroad. — These men consisted of all the trackmen on the 
Boston & Albany, together with several foremen. Controversy 
finally settled. 

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 
No. 104. — This controversy was in connection with the differ- 
ences with this union and the Edison Electric Illuminating Com- 
pany. As the matter had close connection with government affairs 
it was finally decided to have the same handled through Wash- 
ington. This was done and grievances were satisfactorily ad- 
justed. 

Plumbers' Controversy at the Cantonment at Ayer. — 
This matter was brought to our attention through the Plumbers' 



Local Union, and after several conferences with the contractor 
on the job at Aver and the government representative, the matter 
was handled directly from Washington. The men were given a 
forty-four hour week and double time for overtime. 

Threatened Strike at General Electric Company Works 
at Pittsfield, Mass. — Conference between the General Electric 
representatives and the men brought about a settlement which 
averted probable walkout of about 20,000 men. 

Floating Hospital. — About August 25 the non-union fire- 
men, oilers and deckhands employed on the Boston Floating 
Hospital, a ship owned by a private corporation, which takes 
needy sick infants and their parents for all-day trips down the 
harbor, struck. The ship was about to leave the wharf at the 
time these men struck, with approximately 300 infants and their 
parents on board. The good offices of the Seamen's Union, 
Marine Engineers' Union and the Firemen's Union were sought 
and eventually procured. These respective unions supplied men 
to take the places of the men who had struck, and the ship was 
enabled thereby to proceed on its business as usual. 

Massachusetts Chocolate Company. — This controversy 
involved the engineers and firemen at work in the factory. The 
question was left to Mr. H. B. Endicott to arbitrate, and after 
hearing all the facts in the case a decision was rendered in favor 
of the employers. 

Work on Government Appraisers' Stores, Northern 
Avenue, Boston. — The controversy came about because of the 
discharge of an apprentice on the job, and involved something 
like 700 men. After men were out a week the matter was satis- 
factorily adjusted. 

Fore River Shipbuilding Works. — Men involved were en- 
gaged in constructing new storehouse, new machine shop and new 
boiler house at Fore River Shipbuilding Company, Quincy, Mass. 
The Aberthaw Construction Company were contractors on the 
job. Contractors secured an injunction against the unions, but 
the matter was finally referred to this committee and satisfactorily 
adjusted. Controversy arose because of the employment of 
union and non-union men on the job. 

New England Fuel and Transportation. — This contro- 



8 

versy had to do with firemen and oilers employed on the steamers 
of this company. Both these classes of men who were members 
of the I. W. W. which threatened to leave ships unless all men 
became members of the I, W. W. American Federation of 
Labor was requested to assist in this matter by having men be- 
longing to their organization placed on the ships. This they did, 
and the matter was finally adjusted. 

Boston & Maine Machinists and Helpers, Boiler Makers 
and Helpers, Blacksmiths and Helpers, Railway Carmen 
and Helpers, Sheet Metal Workers, Pipe Fitters and Helpers 
and Electrical Workers. — This controversy had to do with 
the differences of about 3,500 men in the mechanical inspection 
and other outside departments of the Boston & Maine Railroad. 
The men demanded a flat increase of 8 cents per hour in their 
wages. On September 8, after a conference lasting several days, 
Mr. H. B. Endicott awarded the men an immediate increase of 
5 cents an hour. The balance of the claim was left for adjustment, 
and Mr. Endicott was chosen as the arbitrator. Both sides have 
submitted evidence bearing on the balance of the claim of 3 cents, 
and the matter is now pending. 

Lynn Shoe Controversy. — This matter involved questions 
which had been pending since last April, and 26 factories and ap- 
proximately 12,000 hands were affected. A joint committee rep- 
resenting the employees, consisting of representatives of the 
allied Shoe Workers' Union and the United Shoe Workers of 
America, together with a committee representing the Lynn Shoe 
Manufacturers' Association, Inc., requested the committee to 
take the matter up. The result was that all parties interested 
signed an agreement to return to work on Monday, September 24, 
at the same wages as paid at the time of the lockout in April; 
agreement was also made between all parties interested that there 
would be no strike or lockout for a term of three years. Matter 
of pending prices was left to Mr. Endicott to arbitrate, and the 
same is now pending. 

S. A. Woods Machine Company. — The men in the employ 
of this company claimed that they were not being paid the same 
rate of wages as was paid to men in other concerns doing the same 
class of work. Several conferences were had between the em- 



ployees and the representatives of the company, and the result 
was that the matter was satisfactorily settled, the men agreeing 
to return to work under a bonus system. 

Coal Teamsters. — A threatened strike of the coal teamsters, 
chauffeurs and helpers was prevented through the good offices of 
the committee. The men asked for an increase in wages and a 
change in hours. After conferences between a committee rep- 
resenting the various coal dealers of Boston and vicinity, and 
representatives of the Coal Teamsters, Chauffeurs and Helpers' 
Union, the question was satisfactorily adjusted. 

Market Teamsters. — On October 2 the question of a further 
increase to the market and commission-house teamsters was put 
up to the committee, and after several conferences between the 
representative of the men and the representative of the Team 
Owners' Association the matter was settled by arbitration. 

Car Cleaners. — About October 1 the question of the differ- 
ences between the men and women employed on the Boston & 
Maine Railroad as car cleaners and the road was brought to the 
attention of this committee. The men were seeking an increase 
approximating 4 cents an hour, and the women sought an increase 
approximating 2| cents an hour. It was suggested to the men 
that they confer with the officials of the road and see if any offer 
would be made which could be accepted. This suggestion was 
carried out. 

Freight Handlers. — On October 1 the freight handlers con- 
nected with the Boston & Maine and Boston & Albany Railroads 
presented new demands to these respective railroads calling for 
approximately $3.50 a day, nine-hour day and double time for 
overtime. The matter was brought to the attention of this com- 
mittee. Several conferences were held with officials of both roads 
without any result being arrived at. The men threatened several 
times to quit work at both the East Boston and Charlestown piers, 
but Washington through Mr. Stanley King, Special Assistant to the 
Secretary of War, finally took the matter up, and an arbitration 
committee, composed of Mr. Stanley King, Dean Edwin F. Gay of 
Halyard University, and INIr. Martin T. Joyce of the American 
Federation of Labor, was chosen, the men agreeing to abide by 
whatever decision was arrived at by this arbitration committee. 
The arbitration committee held several conferences, and finally on 



10 

October 16 presented their findings. The men, however, on receipt 
of the award refused to accept its terms. The matter was again 
brought to the attention of this committee, and Mr. H. B. Endicott 
had the committees representing the men confer with him. After 
this conference the respective committees took back to the men 
Mr. Endicott's suggestion about accepting the award and return- 
ing to work, and on October 17 the Boston & Maine freight hand- 
lers agreed to accept the award and return to work. On October 19 
the Boston & Albany men agreed to accept the award and return 
to work. 

Stove Mounters. — On October 10 the stove mounters em- 
ployed by several large stove companies in the city presented 
demands which in the main called for an increase in wages, time 
and a half for overtime and a nine-hour day, and the right of 
seniority. The matter is now in conference. 

Petticoat Workers. — On October 18 the controversy in con- 
nection with the strike of about 40 women and about 10 men in the 
factory of the Superior Petticoat Company was brought to the 
attention of the Public Safety Committee, and a conference was 
arranged between the interested parties, but before the same was 
held, word was received that the matter had been satisfactorily 
settled by mutual agreement of the parties involved. 

Railroad Stations. — On October 24 the threatened strike of 
about 5,000 station employees of the Boston & Maine Railroad 
was brought to the attention of the committee. The men were 
asking for the following : — 

75 cents a day increase. 

An eight-hour day. 

Payment for holidays. 

AboUtion of probationary periods. 

Establishment of definite minimum rates. 

A committee representing the men had held several conferences 
with the ofiicials of the road without any satisfactory conclusion 
being arrived at, and made an ultimatum to the road that unless 
their terms were complied with they would order the men out at 10 
A.M. on October 25. The question of having the matter arbitrated 
was brought up, and the committee representing the men agreed 
to the suggestion and drafted a letter to the railroad officials 



11 

embodying it. The railroad officials have agreed to accept Mr. 
Endicott as one of the three arbitrators, the other two to be 
picked, one by the railroad and one by the men themselves. 

Aberthaw Construction. — On October 19 the question of the 
differences between organized labor and the Aberthaw Construc- 
tion Company on the work at Squantum in connection with the 
building of destroyers for the government was brought to the at- 
tention of this committee. Both sides were requested to appear 
before the Committee, which they did. Organized labor was 
represented by representatives from the entire building trades of 
Massachusetts. The principal point under discussion was the re- 
fusal of the Aberthaw Construction Company to conduct the work 
under open-shop conditions. The union representatives claimed 
that many of the men who would be employed on the job would be 
aliens and men who had not taken out their first papers and de- 
clared their intention to become citizens. They also claimed that 
this was one of the first things demanded of a man before he is al- 
lowed to become a member of any labor organization. The Aber- 
thaw Construction Company was willing to allow the work to go on 
under open-shop conditions; that is, employ both union and non- 
union labor and sublet contracts to both union and non-union 
contractors. The matter was finally referred to Washington, a 
committee representing the various building trades of Massachu- 
setts going on there for a conference. At the present time the 
matter is still pending, the men refusing to work on the job and 
the Aberthaw Company doing what they can to push the work 
along. 

Automobile Mechanics. — On October 20 the controversy in 
connection with the question of establishing an eight-hour day for 
the automobile mechanics was brought to the attention of the 
committee. A conference was held with the various large auto- 
mobile dealers and representatives of the union. A suggestion was 
made to the automobile dealers that they consider the matter of 
granting the men an eight-hour day, which they agreed to take up. 



12 



rOOD ADMINISTRATION. 

Long before the passage of the National Food 
Control Bill the increase of food production in Massa- 
chusetts was systematically begun. A complete recog- 
nition of this work came in the appointment of the 
executive manager of the Massachusetts Committee 
on Public Safety by the President as National Food 
Administrator for Massachusetts. Under the Com- 
monwealth Defence Act Mr. Endicott had held a 
similar position by appointment of the Governor, and 
under the system of Federal control now in force the 
merger of State and Federal activities is complete. 

The increase of the food supply in Massachusetts in 
excess of the normal output of the State is notable. 
County food committees have been organized through- 
out the State. Farm bureaus and agricultural schools 
have been utilized. Organized town committees com- 
posed largely of women have stimulated farm produc- 
tion through family gardens, boys' and girls' gardens, 
through canning, preserving and other forms of con- 
servation. A large amount of agricultural literature 
and instructions for increasing the food supply and 
saving it have been distributed. Special campaigns on 
various branches of the food supply, such as milk, 
poultry, pigs, sheep and other farm products, have 
been directed and financed. The proper use of fertilizer 
has been demonstrated. Methods of training teachers 
and workers in co-operation with recognized schools of 
farming have been undertaken. Lecture tours and ex- 
tension schools in cities and towns reaching audiences 
which averaged over 100, and in many cases several 
hundred, have been successfully held. Methods for 
the distribution of food products have been studied 
and put into force. Censuses of food production and 
consumption have been taken. Insect and fungous 
control specialists have been sent out. An effective 



13 

campaign teaching the advantageous use of fish as food, 
conservation of wheat, meat and of poultry, has been 
carried through. Massachusetts has started the move- 
ment for an extra fish day each week, and the com- 
mittee has taken the responsibihty of voting the 
necessary money to extend the railway track to the 
new fish pier, an improvement long needed to bring 
our sea foods readily to market. 

The result is that Massachusetts this year shows an 
increase of more than 20,000 acres of staple crops on 
farms, an increase of 200,000 home gardens, a very 
large increase in the value of the food supply, and a 
saving of at least $50,000 to the gardeners of the State 
in the price of seeds by locating seed stalks when 
apparently none were available. Industrial corpora- 
tions have, through the leadership of the committee, 
provided their employees with gardens. Credit has 
been provided for the growing and marketing of crops. 
Labor for planting and harvesting has been supplied. 
The poultry slaughter which was going on in Massa- 
chusetts has been effectively checked and idle hatcheries 
started again; milk production increased; food thrift 
centers in cities and towns established; better co- 
operation between bakers and consumers of bread 
brought about; supplies for canning and conservation 
of food made available; harvesting machinery pro- 
vided; bulletins of instruction and warnings against 
the pitfalls of gardening distributed; information as 
to the storage and winter preservation of food distrib- 
uted with wide effect; public or community markets 
estabUshed; methods of inteUigent grain purchases and 
transportation advocated. 

The wise and effective activities of the National 
Food Administrator for Massachusetts are supple- 
menting the work begun by the Safety Committee 
which started the increase of the food supply in Mas- 
sachusetts. 



14 



MOBILIZATION OF SCHOOL BOYS FOR FARM 
SERVICE. 

In connection with the food control in Massachusetts 
the Safety Committee has organized numerous groups 
of school boys, largely under military discipline of a 
milder sort, to aid in the cultivation and harvesting of 
the increased farm and orchard areas of Massachu- 
setts. Many hundreds of boys were employed at rea- 
sonable salaries and a movement started which will 
bring beneficial results in industry and health to the 
boys and produce an important economic effect. A 
large and hitherto undeveloped source of farm labor 
has been discovered. With salaried supervisors instead 
of the uncontrolled volunteers of this year's experiment, 
with training classes to produce leaders in efficiency 
among the boys, with State support and with proper 
standardization of camp equipment, supplies, commis- 
sary and business methods, the effective work of this 
year will in the future be greatly increased. In com- 
parison with the amount of money which was required 
to finance the mobilization of school boys for farm serv- 
ice, and provide cantonments for their housing, the re- 
sults obtained are very striking. The crop of one large 
fruit company was alone brought to harvest through 
the assistance of one camp of school boys, the value of 
which harvest was many times greater than the ex- 
penses, salaries, care and equipment of all the boys 
who were mobilized throughout the entire State. 

A detailed report on this important subject has been 
printed and may be obtained at the State House. 

FUEL SUPPLY. 

Early in May the Committee on Public Safety began 
to take steps to better the coal situation in Massachu- 
setts and New England. From the start all the North 



15 

Atlantic States were considered as one group, and 
activities centered at the State House, Boston, which 
became and has continued the general office of fuel ad- 
ministration in New England. A committee known as 
the New England Coal Committee, composed of thirty 
members, four or five from each State, was organized, 
the appointments from each State being made by the 
Governor except in the case of Rhode Island. It was 
quickly found that the annual New England consump- 
tion of 10,000,000 tons of anthracite coal and 20,000,000 
tons of bituminous coal coming into New England by 
water and rail would never reach New England this 
year unless a strong magnet was applied at once. 
''Bottoms" had disappeared owing to war conditions. 
Waste of effort was apparent in the handling of ocean- 
going tugs. The rail facilities were largely diverted 
elsewhere. Due to the energy of the New England Coal 
Committee, conditions began to shape themselves in 
such manner as to insure to New England her winter 
supply of coal. The United States Shipping Board 
was inclined to seize tonnage in New England without 
appreciating the gravity of the coal situation here or 
how dependent this section is upon ocean transporta- 
tion. Eventually, however, the Shipping Board formu- 
lated a program at the request of the New England 
Coal Committee enhancing the efficiency of ocean- 
going tugs in service on the North Atlantic coast. 
Eventually, also, special trains composed solidly of 
coal cars were organized through the skill of the com- 
mittee to transport coal direct from the mines to various 
New England railroad centers where the trains are 
broken for the first time and the cars distributed to 
dealers in each railroad district. These trains are run 
in addition to the regular movement of coal in mixed 
trains. Prompt co-operation in unloading has been 
instilled into the various agencies of the consumers. 



16 

It is fair to say that the New England coal situation 
has been safeguarded by the activities of this com- 
mittee. Some remote places in the countryside pre- 
senting special difficulties in transportation, or whose 
coal supply had not been placed in other years through 
reliable channels, have suffered and are still suffering 
more difficulty than the general situation would seem 
to make necessary. Efforts are being directed by the 
United States Fuel Administration, which has appro- 
priated the New England organization, started by the 
Massachusetts Committee on Public Safety, to relieve 
every distressing instance of shortage. The United 
States Fuel Administration in New England is con- 
trolled by special fuel administrators for each State, 
who in turn are under a Federal Fuel Administrator 
for New England, and the Federal Fuel Adminis- 
trator for all New England is the chairman of the 
Massachusetts Public Safety Committee. 

Dr. Garfield was appointed Fuel Administrator by 
the President on Aug. 3, 1917. The New England 
Coal Committee antedated his appointment in its 
organization by nearly three months. It would have 
been manifestly impossible otherwise to pass success- 
fully through the coming winter with an adequate 
supply of coal. 

By the early organization of this enterprise, by the 
investigation of each case or complaint on its own 
merits, by a sufficient canvass of the situation in ad- 
vance the committee has been enabled to secure a 
greater supply of coal at tidewater points adjoining 
the coal fields, to improve loading and unloading 
facilities, and to cut out waste and delay. The matter 
of domestic fuel economy and power plant economy 
has also been taken up. The coal reserves are too low, 
prices are unsatisfactory and the situation is made 
worse by lack of individual foresight on the part of 



17 

many consumers. Strong effort has been made to 
discontinue for the time being expensive electrical 
advertising, to eliminate unnecessary fires, to en- 
courage the people to put up with temporary incon- 
venience, rather than to face during the winter a 
serious shortage of fuel. 

MASSACHUSETTS' CONTRIBUTION TO THE FIGHTING 
FORCES OF THE NATION. 

The Massachusetts National Guard and the Naval 
Militia had long been recognized as among the most 
efficient volunteer organizations of the whole country. 
From Revolutionary times to the recent demonstra- 
tion along the Mexican Border, Massachusetts has been 
ever ready to serve, and foremost to get into the 
fighting. February, 1917, however, found Massa- 
chusetts with her soldiers badly equipped, and with 
her due allotment from the War Department of neces- 
sary supplies lacking. The very first activity of the 
Safety Conimittee undertook to cure this defect. 
Through its efforts requisitions for equipment for the 
Massachusetts National Guard, aggregating $200,000, 
were honored at Washington. This was the last allot- 
ment made by the Military Bureau before the War 
Department issued instructions that no further allot- 
ments were to be made. Congress having adjourned 
without making the necessary appropriations to equip 
existing United States troops. Massachusetts then 
lacked about $750,000 worth of equipment. At the 
instigation of the Safety Committee the Governor and 
Legislature of Massachusetts promptly appropriated 
$1,000,000, which was made available to purchase 
supplies. The Safety Committee at once took steps 
to secure these supphes, with the result that the Mas- 
sachusetts National Guard and Naval Mihtia went 
into the war properly manned and equipped. 



18 

Preparations to recruit the Massachusetts forces to 
war strength were early made by the committee, and, 
due to the vigor and efficiency of its able Subcom- 
mittee on Recruiting, in a remarkably short time after 
the necessary authority from Washington was ob- 
tained for this purpose the entire increment was added, 
with the exception of an average of about two men to 
a company, whose places were left vacant to enable 
company commanders to accept the services of specially 
qualified recruits when need or opportunity offered. 
The health and comfort of Massachusetts soldiers 
were not neglected. Important sanitary improve- 
ments were made by the committee at Framingham, 
at the Watertown Arsenal and at other places where 
troops were quartered. A committee of dentists was 
organized to co-operate with the Safety Committee 
to care for the teeth of soldiers found to be in bad 
condition. Over 800 dentists were enrolled in this 
volunteer service, and more than 15,000 operations 
had been performed upon the mouths of soldiers by 
July. The committee provided many thousand dol- 
lars' worth of dental equipment which was installed in 
armories throughout the State, thus enabling this work 
to be carried on. The committee undertook the con- 
struction and operation of a school of training in naval 
aviation at Squantum. Hangars were built and the 
field made ready for the activities of the Navy De- 
partment of the United States. A successful school 
was founded, actually turning out flyers. The physi- 
cians of Massachusetts were catalogued, and a record 
of qualifications made for their service in case of need. 
The necessary equipment for Base Hospital No. 5 
was purchased by the committee and sent to France 
for use at the western front. All these activities have 
had their result. Massachusetts to-day is again in the 
van in national service. Because of the fact that her 



19 

National Guard was ready, the government at Wash- 
ington once again has sent into field service at the 
front Massachusetts soldiers among the first of all. 
Somewhere in France her soldiers are marching to- 
day. Somew^here in France units and organizations 
raised exclusively in Massachusetts are giving service 
for their country. Somewhere in France Massachu- 
setts, to her everlasting honor, is upholding the cause 
of civilization. 

LEGISLATION. 

The important legal questions which arose from the 
dual nature of the Federal and State governments 
were at once taken up by the Safety Committee. The 
Legislature of Massachusetts responded loyally to 
the situation, making two separate appropriations of 
$1,000,000 each, to be expended by the Governor and 
Council. The following laws were passed by the 
Legislature and approved by the Governor to meet 
the emergenc}^ which had arisen : — 

An Act to authorize the Governor to increase temporarily the 
force of the District Police. Approved March 2, 1917. By this 
act an adequate police force was made available to safeguard 
important property throughout the State. 

An Act relative to the maintenance of horses for the National 
Guard. Approved March 21, 1917. 

An Act relative to pay of officers and enlisted men of the Volun- 
teer Militia and to militia allowances. Approved March 22, 1917. 

An Act to provide for the organization of a Home Guard in time 
of war. Approved April 5, 1917. By this act it became possible 
to secure a State Guard to take the place of the National Guard 
drafted into Federal service. At the present time approximately 
10,000 volunteers have been uniformed, drilled and organized into 
companies and regiments, and are acting as reserves to safeguard 
the peace and property of Massachusetts and to stimulate and 
train younger volunteers for national service. 



20 

An Act to provide for training in the duties of citizenship in the 
public schools. Approved April 11, 1917. 

An Act to provide aid for certain dependent relatives of soldiers 
and sailors of the Commonwealth in the Federal service. Ap- 
proved April 16, 1917. By this act dependents may receive a 
maximum of $40 per month in needful cases. 

An Act authorizing the publication of information concerning 
the national flag, flag of the Commonwealth and similar matters. 
Approved April 16, 1917. 

An Act to provide State pay for soldiers and sailors from this 
Commonwealth in the volunteer service of the United States. 
Approved May 2, 1917. By this act each non-commissioned 
officer, soldier and sailor mustered into the military or naval service 
of the United States as a part of the quota of Massachusetts for 
service in the United States or in any foreign country is to receive 
the sum of $10 per month. This payment is in addition to his 
Federal pay. 

An Act to authorize cities and towns to make certain emergency 
appropriations in time of war. Approved May 17, 1917. By this 
act localities were enabled to appropriate money to purchase mili- 
tary equipment and supplies and to take steps to conserve the 
health, to protect persons and property, and to conserve the food 
supply and facilitate the raising and distribution of food products. 

An Act to authorize certain organizations to drill and parade 
with firearms. Approved May 25, 1917. By this act the wider 
development and training of various organizations for patriotic 
purposes was made possible. 

An Act relative to the compensation of employees of the Com- 
monwealth in the military or naval service of the United States 
during the present war. Approved May 25, 1917. 

An Act granting the consent of the Commonwealth to the ac- 
quisition by the United States government of Little Hog and Calf 
Islands in Boston Harbor. Approved May 25, 1917. 

An Act authorizing the Governor to incur emergency expenses 
incident to the existing state of war. Approved May 25, 1917. 
This act provided for the raising of $1,000,000 as an emergency 
war loan and was in addition to the direct appropriation of 
$1,000,000 made by the Legislature under chapter 202 of the 
Special Acts of the Legislature of 1917. Approved March 9, 1917. 



21 

An Act to codify, revise and amend the laws relating to the 
militia. Approved May 25, 1917. By this act, and earlier execu- 
tive action of the Governor, the Adjutant-General's office was 
reorganized and a military council created to insure the greatest 
possible efficiency in the land and naval forces accredited to Mas- 
sachusetts. 

An Act relative to State pay and other benefits for certain 
soldiers and sailors. Approved May 25, 1917. 

An Act to provide for the better defence of the Commonwealth 
in time of war. Approved May 26, 1917. Under this act the 
Governor appointed the executive manager of the Massachusetts 
Committee on Public Safety as Food Administrator, and is au- 
thorized to take practically any needed action to safeguard the 
interests of Massachusetts when occasion requires. 



SOCIAL EVILS AND MILITARY CAMPS. 

Massachusetts contains a new city, rising out of 
the bushes in the township of Ayer, with a male popu- 
lation equivalent to that of a city of upward of a 
hundred thousand people. The social needs which 
are thus presented call for alert thought and prompt 
action. To meet this situation in advance of organiza- 
tion by competent authorities a small committee has 
been appointed to investigate and report to the Execu- 
tive Committee. 

Through agents of the committee data are being col- 
lected daily and attempts made to put the military 
and civic agencies in touch with facts and bring about 
corrective results. Too much cannot be said of the 
helpful work by the members of this committee. Here 
is a work in which the public should be vitally 
interested. 



22 



OTHER ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE. 

Many temporary activities in advance of proper 
organization by the United States government for war 
preparedness were undertaken by the Pubhc Safety 
Committee. Trucks and motor cars have been listed 
and several complete units of specially qualified men 
prepared for mobilization in the Quartermaster's De- 
partment of the United States Army. A plan for 
emergency help and equipment has been completed. 
The efforts of various patriotic societies have been 
co-ordinated in part under the Red Cross and in part 
under the supervision of the Safety Committee. The 
general problem of hygiene, medicine and sanitation 
has been considered and met, and an industrial survey 
made in co-operation with the United States govern- 
ment to enable a fuller participation and a larger 
output of materials needed for the prosecution of the 
war. The purchasing department organized by the 
Safety Committee was a large factor in securing the 
necessary military equipment and supplies both for 
the National Guard Regiments and for the newly 
created State Guard. Publicity and education in 
patriotism have not been neglected. Through the 
co-operation of many foreign-born but patriotic Ameri- 
can citizens the work of patriotic assimilation and 
Americanization has been going forward. The stirring 
war messages of the President have been translated 
into many languages and widely circulated. Meetings 
have been held in various parts of the State not only 
to educate and inspire citizens in performing their 
concrete duties, like garden planting, bond buying and 
the like, but also to instil the larger patriotism which 
is necessary for a clear view and a triumphant ending 
of the war. Co-operation with the Boy Scouts has 
been undertaken as a method of introducing boys to 



23 

the farm and increasing home patriotism. The closest 
relationship has existed with the National Council 
of Women in all their many activities and successful 
work in conserving the resources of Massachusetts. 
Fortunately there has been no need of putting in use 
concentration camps for aliens, but the field was gone 
over by an adequate committee and plans prepared 
to meet such a contingency. The Safety Committee 
early became a factor in the organization of the Coast 
Patrol and Naval Reserve. For many months the 
offices of the committee were a clearing house for 
recruits for naval training and aviation. One of the 
first things done by the Safety Committee upon its 
organization was to lay a clear plan for the transpor- 
tation of troops and supplies within the State from 
point to point. Thanks to the co-operation of the 
railroad systems all this work has been effectively 
accomplished. 

LOCAL COMMITTEES ON PUBLIC SAFETY. 

Of the 354 cities and towns in Massachusetts all 
of the cities and 245 of the towns have in co-opera- 
tion with the Massachusetts State Committee ap- 
pointed local Public Safety Committees as follows : — 



Attleboro. 

Beverly. 

Boston. 

Brockton. 

Cambridge. 

Chelsea. 

Chicopee. 

Everett. 

Fall River. 

FiTCHBURG. 

Gloucester. 
Haverhill. 

HOLYOKE. 



Cities. 




Laavrence. 


Northampton, 


Leominster. 


Peabody. 


Lowell. 


Pittsfield. 


Lynn. 


Quincy. 


Malden. 


Revere. 


Marlborough. 


Salem. 


Medford. 


SOMERVILLE. 


Melrose. 


Springfield. 


New Bedford. 


Taunton. 


Newburyport. 


Waltham. 


Newton. 


WOBURN. 


North Adams. 


Worcester. 



24 



Towns. 



Abington. 


Dalton. 


Holbrook. 


Acton. 


Danvers. 


Holden. 


Acushnet. 


Dartmouth. 


Holliston. 


Adams. 


Dedham. 


Hopkinton. 


Agawam. 


Deerfield. 


Hudson. 


Alford. 


Dighton. 


Hull. 


Anaesbury. 


Dover. 


Ipswich. 


Amherst. 


Dracut. 


Kingston. 


Andover. 


Dudley. 


Lancaster. 


Arlington. 


Duxbury. 


Leicester. 


Ashburnham. 


East Bridgewater. 


Lenox. 


Ashby. 


Easthampton. 


Lexington. 


Ashfield. 


Edgartown, 


Lincoln. 


Ashland. 


Enfield. 


Littleton. 


Athol. 


Fahnouth. 


Longmeadow. 


Ayer. 


Florida. 


Ludlow. 


Barnstable. 


Foxborough. 


Lynnfield. 


Barre. 


Framingham. 


Manchester. 


Bedford. 


Franklin. 


Mansfield. 


Bellingham. 


Freetown. 


Marblehead. 


Belmont. 


Gardner. 


Marion. 


Berkley. 


Gay Head. 


Marshfield. 


Billerica. 


Georgetown. 


Mashpee. 


Bolton. 


Gill. 


Mattapoisett. 


Bourne. 


Goshen. 


Maynard. 


Braintree. 


Grafton. 


Medfield. 


Brewster. 


Granby. 


Medway. 


Bridgewater. 


Great Barrington. 


Merrimac. 


Brimfield. 


Greenfield. 


Methuen. 


Brookfield. 


Groton. 


Middleborough. 


Brookline. 


Groveland. 


Middleton. 


Burlington. 


Hadley. 


Milford. 


Carver. 


Halifax. 


MiUis. 


Charlton. 


Hamilton. 


Milton. 


Chatham. 


Hampden. 


Monson. 


Chelmsford. 


Hancock. 


Montague. 


Chesterfield. 


Hanover. 


Monterey. 


Chilmark. 


Hanson. 


Montgomery. 


Clinton. 


Hardwick. 


Mount Washington, 


Cohasset. 


Harvard. 


Nahant. 


Colrain. 


Harwich. 


Nantucket. 


Concord. 


Hawley. 


Natick. 


Conway. 


Hingham. 


Needham. 


Cumimington. 


Hinsdale. 


New Braintree. 



25 





Towns — Continued 


, 


New Marlborough. 


Rowe. 


Tyringham. 


Newbury. 


Rowley. 


Upton. 


Norfolk. 


Royalston. 


Uxbridge. 


North Andover. 


Russell. 


Wakefield. 


North Attleborough. 


Rutland. 


Walpole. 


North Brookfield. 


Salisbury. 


Ware. 


North Reading. 


Sandisfield. 


Wareham. 


Northborough. 


Sandwich. 


Warren. 


Northbridge. 


Saugus. 


Warwick. 


Northfield. 


Scituate. 


Water town. 


Norton. 


Sharon. 


Webster. 


Norwell. 


Sheffield.. 


WeEesley. 


Norwood. 


Shelburne. 


Wellfleet. 


Oak Bluffs. 


Sherborn. 


Wenham. 


Oakham. 


Shirley. 


West Boylston. 


Orange. 


Shrewsbury. 


West Bridgewater, 


Orleans. 


Shutesbury. 


West Brookfield. 


Oxford. 


Somerset. 


West Newbury. 


Palmer. 


South Hadley. 


West Springfield. 


Pelham. 


Southborough. 


West Tisbury. 


Pembroke. 


Southbridge. 


Westborough. 


Pepperell. 


Southwick. 


Westfield. 


Petersham. 


Spencer. 


Westford. 


Phillipston. 


Stockbridge. 


Westhampton. 


Plain ville. 


Stoneham. 


Westminster. 


Plymouth. 


Stoughton. 


Weston. 


Plympton. 


Stow. 


Westport. 


Prescott. 


Sturbridge. 


Westwood. 


Princeton. 


Sudbury. 


Weymouth. 


Provincetown. 


Sutton. 


Whitman. 


Randolph. 


Swampscott. 


Williamsburg. 


Raynham. 


Templeton. 


Williamstown. 


Reading. 


Tewksbury. 


Wilmington. 


Rehoboth. 


Tisbury. 


Winchendon. 


Richmond. 


ToUand. 


Winchester. 


Rochester. 


Topsfield. 


Wrentham. 


Rockland. 


Townsend. 


Yarmouth. 


Rockport. 


Truro. 





FINANCIAL STATEMENT. 

The financial statement of the work of the Massa- 
chusetts Committee on PubHc Safety is satisfactory. 
Through the generosity of citizens $100,000 was con- 
tributed for such uses as the committee might desire. 



26 

In addition, the $2,000,000 appropriation by the Legis- 
lature is available for emergency war expenses. This 
fund is being disbursed by the Governor and Coun- 
cil on the recommendation of the Safety Committee. 
These recommendations are made a careful matter of 
consideration and record. A large proportion of the 
expenses which Massachusetts assumed in advance of 
Federal appropriation to fill the gap and prepare the 
State has now been met by the Federal government. 
When the enormous amount of work which has been 
undertaken and carried forward is considered, when the 
results accomplished are weighed, it must be a matter 
of astonishment as well as gratification that the amounts 
expended have been so small. War expenses from the 
creation of the committee to Oct. 20, 1917, showing 
the amounts finally expended out of the total funds 
available to the committee, have been as follows: — 

Construction and operation of School of Aviation Training 

at Squantum, Mass., " . $32,750 78 

Dental equipment, medicine, etc., for care of teeth of Na- 
tional Guard, 6,545 48 

Veterinarian supplies, 227 00 

Rubbers for National Guard, tent flooring and providing 

temporary housing, 2,587 51 

Cost of recruiting, advertising and other expense, . . 4,570 82 

Equipment for Base Hospital Unit No. 5, . . . . 5,395 50 

Medicine, emergency supplies, etc., for National Guard, . 1,440 99 

Industrial survey, 560 91 

Installing sanitary system at Framingham, .... 16,767 40 
Military instruction for officers and non-commissioned 

officers, prior to ordering into Federal service, . . 2,231 28 
Food campaign : — 

Cost of activities of county agents, 11,386 96 

Enrollment of women for conservation of food (Hoover 

pledge card), 1,396 20 

General committee expenses, including poultry, milk and 
insect campaigns and general costs of efforts to place 

high school boys in farm service, 16,020 23 

New England Coal Committee, Massachusetts' propor- 
tion of expense, • ■ 2,831 94 

Committee for prevention of social evils surrounding mihtary 

camps, 801 04 



. 27 

Massachusetts' contribution towards cost of equipping saw- 
mill units for England (see Note 1), .... $12,000 00 

All other costs incurred by the General Committee, includ- 
ing cost of furnishing quarters occupied in State House, 
wages, office expenses and committee activities not 
otherwise reported, 33,183 22 

Cost of uniforms and equipment for Massachusetts State 

Guard (see Note 2), 118,005 56 

Total expenditures incurred by Massachusetts Com- 
mittee on Pubhc Safety paid by Commonwealth of 
Massachusetts, ' . . $268,702 82 

Note No. i. — The entire cost of equipping the saw-mill 
units for England has been $129,176.25 up to date, of 
which amount the cost borne bj^ other New England 
States and sundry private parties has been . 117,176 25 

Note No. 2. — Other expenditures for equipping and main- 
taining the Massachusetts State Guard, which have 
not been directed by the Massachusetts Committee on 
PubHc Safety but are payable by Commonwealth, . 28,510 05 

Total expenditures, ....".... $414,389 12 

Respectfully submitted, 

JAMES J. STORROW, 

Chairman, 
CHARLES S. BAXTER, 
HENRY B. ENDICOTT, 
WALTON A. GREEN, 
LEVI H. GREENWOOD, 
ROBERT F. HERRICK, 
EDMUND W. LONGLEY, 
GEORGE H. LYMAN, 
GUY MURCHIE, 
J. FRANK O'HARE, 
JAMES J. PHELAN, 
A. C. RATSHESKY, 
JOHN F. STEVENS, 
JESSE STEVENS, 

Adjutant-General {ex officio), 

CHARLES F. WEED, 

Nov. 1 1917. Executive Committee. 



I iRRARY OF CONGRESS 

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020 933 456 2 




